Record-breaking tourism numbers in B.C. bolster Indigenous businesses

Frank Antoine runs the company Moccasin Trails. He says one of the most important aspects of Indigenous tourism is connecting people to place and culture and teaching about who Indigenous people are today. (Frank Antoine) Indigenous tourism in B.C. has hit an all-time high.

A new report shows that customers spend more than $705 million a year on tourism businesses run by First Nations in the province.

There are currently 401 Indigenous tourism businesses in B.C., up from 267 in 2014, according to the study conducted by O’Neil Marketing and Consulting. Together, the businesses create 7,400 full-time jobs.

The bulk of them are in retail, outdoor adventure and accommodation, with Indigenous people directly controlling the companies or having their culture serve as the essence of the attraction.

"We are thrilled to share the unprecedented statistics outlined in the Tourism Performance Audit Report," said Brenda Baptiste, the co-chair of Indigenous Tourism B.C.

She credits the success to the hard work of Indigenous tourism operators who she says create experiences that promote Indigenous cultures to an estimated 3.6 million overnight travellers annually. Appetite for authenticity

With more concerns around cultural appropriation and an appetite for authenticity, more eyes are on Indigenous people to lead the way in the industry. But not everyone thinks culture should be sold.

Frank Antoine, a co-chair of Indigenous Tourism B.C. and the owner of Moccasin Trails , an outdoor adventure company said he’s following concerns from elders to ensure Indigenous culture and land is respected and not exploited.

"You are not trying to sell your place but educate people about where you come from and why that particular territory is sacred," Antoine said. Frank Antoine is a co-chair of Indigenous Tourism B.C. and runs Moccasin Trails in Kamloops. He says Indigenous tourism is really about connecting people to Indigenous culture and lands. Here he holds a black bear headed gifted to him from a bear dancer. (Frank Antoine) Antoine said for him, it’s less about making a profit and more about preserving culture. It’s a concept called biosphere that has entered into the mainstream tourism industry and aims to strike a balance between the economic, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions of a destination, ‘Not going to play Indian’

It’s important for Antoine that tourists know that Indigenous culture doesn’t look a certain way.

"You don’t have to dress up and play a part," he said. "You don’t have to wear a ribbon shirt. You can wear a tank top and say this is how I want to show who I am," he added.

That’s something that is also key to James Cowpar. He runs the outdoor adventure company, Haida Styles Expeditions, on Haida Gwaii.

"We are not going to play Indian, when we conduct our business," he said. When we are greeting guests from around the world, we are going to be true to the heart. We are who we are," Cowpar added.

He said tour guides are welcome to wear regalia, but they can wear whatever they feel comfortable in. James Cowpar runs Haidastyle, a company that offers guided cultural adventure tours in Haida Gwaii. Tourists can explore Gwaii Haanas or go fishing with experienced local guides. He says one thing you won’t see here is Haida’s "playing Indian." (James Cowpar) Still, Cowpar continues to field uncomfortable questions.

For example, he has been asked why they are not paddling in a wooden war canoe and instead use an aluminum powerboat.

"The tourists don’t know how to paddle," he joked, then explains how it’s not a timely or economical way to travel or fish today.He says he and his crew use those awkward questions as opportunities to educate. Tourism puts […]

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